TEHRAN, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Lebanon and ending the war in the Arab state are "inseparable" parts of a recently finalized peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in the Iranian capital while stressing Iran's determination to stop Israeli strikes against Lebanon under the MoU that was announced between Tehran and Washington early Monday.
Baghaei said ending the war and establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon were also parts of an April 8 ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel, "and we proved to be serious in this regard in the past."
He gave the assurance that Iran will definitely continue to monitor developments in the future and whenever necessary, will use all available tools to ensure the fulfilment of commitments by the other parties.
Baghaei added that the word Lebanon has been used three times in the MoU to highlight the necessity to end the war on all fronts and ensure respect for the Arab state's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said it will become clearer in the future that Israel's Sunday afternoon attack against the Dahieh district, south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, became an opportunity to safeguard maximum interests for Iran, the resistance front, and Lebanon.
Baghaei noted that Iran decides about any development based on precise assessments of the country's major interests.
He listed some of the other provisions in the MoU, including the release of Iran's frozen assets and the reconstruction of the damage sustained by the country during the war, stressing that under the deal, the United States commits to implement measures regarding both issues.
Baghaei said the MoU also requires the United States to lift all sanctions, including primary and secondary sanctions, those of the United Nations Security Council, and the relevant resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency against Iran.
He added that these issues, along with those related to Iran's nuclear program, are scheduled to be discussed after the MoU's signing.
Baghaei also said, upon the MoU's signing on Friday, Iran must be able to sell its oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products without any obstacle or problem.
He underlined that the United States will bear responsibility for any violation of commitments by the other players and U.S. allies in the region.
Regarding the future of the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said Iran, along with Oman, the other coastal country, will adopt necessary measures to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the waterway.
He added that under the MoU, Iran has become obligated to implement the necessary measures to this end, in cooperation with Oman and in consultation with other relevant parties, stressing that Iran seeks to ensure safe and secure maritime traffic in the strait.
Baghaei emphasized that Iran does not seek to receive tolls from ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, but will charge them for the services it will provide along with Oman, including those pertaining to navigation, environment protection and ships' insurance.
Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalization of the MoU on ending the war following weeks of negotiations, adding that it will be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States. ■
